DMACC Student Handbook: Policies & Procedures

Advisors for Students in Academic
or Disciplinary Hearings

(Educational Services Procedure 4625)

Students who have been charged with violations of the academic or disciplinary policies may have up to two advisors (including legal counsel) present during a hearing. The advisor(s) may be a parent, legal counsel, friend, or other individual of the student’s choosing, but may not be the student’s academic advisor or a Campus Ombudsperson. The student must sign an authorization for release of information form giving the advisor(s) permission to hear the testimony and have access to written documentation discussed at the hearing that is normally a confidential part of the student’s educational record.

Des Moines Area Community College will make this procedure available to advisor(s) of students charged with violations of the academic or disciplinary procedures of the College so that the roles and purposes of these proceedings will be clear to all participants.

The hearings conducted by the College Review Board and College Judicial Hearing Board are not quasi-judicial proceedings. Therefore, advisor(s) may be present (at the student’s expense) to advise the student, but may not actively participate by questioning witnesses, cross-examining witnesses or other participants, or formally addressing the hearing board. The role of the advisor(s) is to advise the student, and assist the student in performing such questioning. The chairperson of the College Review Board or College Judicial Hearing Board will determine whether offered evidence is admissible.

Students who are involved in these hearings are provided with the complete policy and procedure statement of the college and should provide their advisor(s) with this information. An ombudsperson is available on each campus for additional assistance. (See ES 4620 Ombudsperson Responsibilities Procedure.)